Reflecting on 2025: The Year of Showing Up

I started this year with a charity boxing match in January: a challenge big enough to force me to train with intent. At the time, I thought that would be the hardest thing I'd face all year. But as it turns out, 2025 had a few more pivots in store for me.

Looking back, if there's one thread that ties the last twelve months together, it's the transition from being someone who waits to be "ready" to someone who just shows up, regardless of the conditions.

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The Plan I Didn't Choose

I've written a lot lately about how "adaptability isn't a compromise, it's a skill". I had to put that theory to the test mid-year when I was made redundant.

Redundancy is one of those "spiritual crises" that forces you to rethink your architecture rather than just tinker around the edges. It was the kind of plan change my mum used to warn me about: "Always plan to change your plan". It was uncomfortable and unsettling, but it led me to a new chapter.

What I've realised through that transition is that finding your feet in a new environment isn't about having all the answers on day one. It's about being a "master of learning". In my new role, I've had to lean into that "jack of many trades" mindset more than ever: learning new workflows, understanding different team dynamics, and proving that breadth is a force multiplier.

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From Tool to Teammate

One of the biggest shifts this year has been my relationship with AI. I started the year feeling a bit unsettled by it, wondering what it meant for my role as an engineer. But as I've integrated it into my daily toolkit, that worry has turned into curiosity.

We're now embracing AI across our development workflows to speed up how we build. It's no longer just a chatbot; it's a networked teammate. I've stopped asking "What can I build?" and started asking "What can we explore together?". Whether it's using Project Corsa for 10x faster TypeScript compilation or exploring the next generation of Next.js, the goal has been the same: using technology to free up space for the human parts of the job: empathy, judgement, and purpose.

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The Discipline of the "Dip"

When things got chaotic at work, I found my anchor in the physical stuff. During October, I took on a daily cold water dipping challenge. There were mornings when I didn't feel ready at all, and nights I'd drag myself out of bed just to keep the streak alive.

It taught me a lesson that applied directly to my career pivot: the discomfort never really goes away; you just get better at facing it. It's the same discipline I'm carrying into my Edinburgh Marathon training now. When our original plan for the Belfast Marathon fell through because it was booked out, we didn't stop; we pivoted to a new city and a new goal.

Adaptability keeps you moving, while rigidity keeps you stuck.

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The Power of 1%

If I could sum up my 2025 takeaway for anyone else navigating a messy year, it would be this: the compound effect is real.

Real change doesn't happen by doing everything at once. It happens through small, incremental steps: making one area a habit before adding the next. Whether it was getting back into weekly gym sessions or learning to collaborate with AI, momentum was built, not borrowed.

I used to chase "perfection," but I've learned that's a mirage that keeps you from moving forward. Now, I just chase "done better than last time".

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Looking Forward

As I look toward 2026, I'm not looking for a perfectly smooth path. I'm just looking to keep showing up, staying curious, and meeting whatever comes next with a bit of courage.

Stay curious

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What are your thoughts on navigating change and showing up when things get messy? I'd love to hear your impressions: reach out on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Related Articles

• Jack of Many Trades, Master of Learning - How breadth and adaptability create advantage
• Adaptability at Work: Thriving in the Age of AI - Practical steps for building adaptability
• Sharing Before You're Ready - The power of showing up imperfectly